Softball concession stand, Riverview Park discussed

Thursday

Apr 20, 2017 at 8:21 AM

Julie Mancinijmancini@ncnewspress.com

A new concession stand for the Nebraska City Softball Complex and the future of Riverview Park were among the items discussed at Monday’s Nebraska City City Council meeting.Parks and Recreation Commissioner Patrick Wehling said the concession stand has been a long-term goal of the Nebraska City Ball Field Improvement Association.He explained that construction of the 16- by 24-foot building is now possible thanks to a donation from the Legally Prom Committee, which gave half the proceeds from its 2017 event to the association.Wehling estimated that construction costs will be just under $10,000.“It’s a great thing that the complex really needs,” said Wehling.The building will be a converted custom-made storage building purchased through Shipley Flooring in Nebraska City, said Wehling. It will be built in Red Oak, Iowa, by Premier Buildings. Having a concession stand at the complex will allow community groups, such as Nebraska City Elite Baseball, the Jaycees, the Nebraska City Softball Association, and FCCLA, to sell concessions as fund-raisers.After the concession stand was approved, Wehling began discussions on the future of Riverview Park.He told the council that, after discussions with Street Commissioner Vic Johns, a decision was made to close Riverview Park indefinitely for safety reasons.Wehling said the reason for the decision was that both the park and the road in it have deteriorated and that repairing the road is going to be a major expense.“I’d like to open it up again,” said Wehling, who is bringing back the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and tasking that group with coming up with a plan for Riverview Park.Wehling said he would also like to reach out to Scouts and other community organizations to possibly help construct a nature trail in the park.